Lightweight collapsible shipping containers



R. SHILE Sept. 29, 1964 LIGHTWEIGHT COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 2, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 29, 1964 R. sHlLE 3,150,791

LIGHTWEIGHT COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 2. 1961 United States Patent O 3,150,791 LIGH'IWEIGHT COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING CONTAINERS Raymond Shile, 12 Wolf Road, Croton-on-Hudson, NX.; fvendy D. Shile, administratrix f said Raymond Shile,

eeeased Filed Nov. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 149,686 6 Claims. (Cl. 22o-6) This invention relates generally to the field of shipping containers of re-usable type, and more particularly to an improved lightweight collapsible form thereof adapted for use in aircraft.

Sturdy collapsible containers are known in the art, the same normally being formed from welded steel, using wood flooring and expanded metal siding. Such devices, while useful in the rail and water transport fields, have tended to be quite heavy in relation to the weight of the goods packed therein, and as a result the adoption of such containers by the air transportation industry has been negligible. While it is desirable that lighter weight containers be provided for this field, it is essential that lightness be achieved without a sacrifice in strength and durability, as the containers will normally be subjected to the same type of handling and abuse as in the other fields of transportation.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention 'to provide an improved shipping container of the class described which may be very light in Weight as contrasted with prior constructions, without any sacrifce in utility or durability.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a lightweight collapsible shipping container of the class described in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved lightweight shipping container in which extensive use is made of synthetic resinous parts having high impact resistance, wherein many parts of the device may be inherently shock-absorbent.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved collapsible container which may be readily opened and closed for the insertion and removal of merchandise, and conveniently collapsed when not required.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved collapsible container which may be completely Weather-tight when in closed condition, notwithstanding its lightweight construction.

A feature of the invention lies in the use of cam-type fasteners for effecting rapid erection and collapse of the disclosed devices.

Another feature of the invention lies in the use of a polypropylene flexible top wall element in which flexibility is confined to curvature along laterally extending scoring.

A further feature of the invention lies in the fact that all parts comprising the device are captive, whereby none of the same may be mislaid or stolen when the device is open or collapsed.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view as seen from the plane 2 2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational View of the embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding to the right-hand portion of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a still further enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to the righthand portion of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view as seen from the plane 6--6 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a front perspective view of the embodiment.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a base element 11, first and second end wall elements 12 and 13, respectively, a back wall element 14, and a flexible top Wall element 15.

The base element 11 is preferably formed using extruded duralumin or other suitable lightweight highstrength metals, and includes a front rail member 20, a rear rail member 21, and side rail members 22 and 23 forming a continuous lower edge 24 and a continuous upper edge 25. Transversely extending internal bracing members 26 and 27 interconnect the members 20-23, each of the members 2li-23 and 26-27 being preferably provided with slots 28 for the engagement of the lifting members of a forklift truck or other lifting apparatus (not shown). The floor 29 is supported in co-planar relation with respect to the upper edge 25, and may be of plywood, metal, or lightweight high-strength plastic sheeting. Upstanding bracket members 30 provide for the pivotal interconnection of the end Wall elements 12 and 13.

The first and second end wall elements 12 and 13 are similar and symmetrically arranged, and accordingly, a detailed description of one of such elements will serve equally Well to describe the other. Each of the elements 12-13 includes a metallic frame 32 and an end wall member 33.

The metallic frame 32 is formed of lightweight metal construction, and includes a lower horizontal member 35, vertical members 36 and 37, and an upper horizontal member 3S interconnected to the members 36-37 by bend portions 39-40, respectively. The vertical member 37, upper horizontal member 38, and bend portions 39 and 40 are provided with a continuous channel 41 extending from a front terminal 42 to a rear terminal 43 a short distance above the back wall element 14, to form a slot therebetween. Pintle means 44 at the lower ends of the vertical members 36 and 37 interconnect with the upstanding bracket means 30 to permit the frames 32 to be swung inwardly when the device is in collapsed condition.

The end wall members 33 are formed of extruded synthetic resinous material, and include a peripheral edge 51 retained Within the frame 32 by engagement with a lip 52 and the inner surface 53 of a longitudinally disposed ange 5t). It will be understood that the construction as disclosed in FIGURE 6 is purely exemplary in nature, and other suitable constructions (not shown) may be substituted for the manner of engagement illustrated.

The back wall element 14 is formed of extruded synthetic resinous material, preferably polypropylene, and includes an upper edge 54 having a transverse bar 46 mounted thereupon, the ends 47 and 4S of which extend c outwardly to align with the vertical members 36 of each of the frames 32 to be selectively interconnected therewith with cam locking fasteners 49 of well-known type (see FIGURES 4 and 6). The lower end thereof is scored along a transverse line 55, and is secured to 'the door 29 by screw means S8 for pivotal movement about the score line. To provide resistance to denting or other inwardly directed flexing, a plurality of transversely extending ribs 57 are formed in the plane of the element 14.

The exible top wall element 15 is also formed preferably Yof polypropylene, which has been transversely scored to permit extensive flexing without encountering molecular failure due to fatigue. It is bounded by a rear edge 59, a forward edge 60, and alternately positioned beaded side edges 61 and 61', which are engageable within the oppositely disposed channels 41 for sliding movement. Transverse ribs 62, corresponding to the ribs 57', are also provided, and disposed between the ribs are grooves 63 forming portions of reduced cross section about which the element 15 may be flexed to allow the same to correspond to the configuration of the channels 41.

With the device in fully erected condition as seen in FIGURE 7, to open the same it is necessary only to lift the forward edge 60 of the element 15 and to slide the element 1S within the channels 41 to the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, wherein the element 15 exits Vthrough the slots at 43 to become disposed outwardly of In this position, the device the back wall element 14. may be loaded, and the top wall element 15 moved in a reverse direction to again close the device 10.

To collapse the device, the same is first moved to an opened condition, in which the top wall element is projected completely through the slots at 43, following which the bar 46 is disengaged by rotating the cam locking fasteners 49, permitting the back wall element 14 to be folded fiat against the upper surface of the floor 29. This motion will carry with it the top wall element 15 which may be folded on top of the back wall element 14.

Following this, the end wall elements 12 and 13 are folded toward each other, the same being of a height less than twice the width of the oor 29, to provide a generally planar package which may be readily stacked or otherwise stored.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly useful improvements in collapsible lightweight merchandise shipping containers, in which, through 'the extensive use of synthetic resinous parts, the weight of the device may be reduced to a point where use of the same is practical for air shipments as well as sea and ground transportation. By 'the use of a flexible polypropylene top wall member, the opening and closing of the device is facilitated, the open area extending not only over the top portion of the device, but one side portion of 'the device as well. When disengaged, the top and rear .wall elements may be folded flat against the floor of the base element of the device, permitting the end walls to be folded thereupon, whereby the container may occupy buta small fraction of its original volume, and be effectively stacked for return shipment or storage. Although, owing to the cost of the materials employed, the cost of manufacture may be slightly higher than that of conventional containers, its durability is directly comparable, and multiple savings are obtained by virtue of the reduced weight involved.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A collapsible shipping container comprising: a base element, rst and second end wall elements pivotally connected substantially at the lower edges thereof to said base element, detachable transverse bar means selectively interconnecting said end walls at points spaced from said lower edges for maintaining said edge walls in perpendicular orientation with respect to said base element, said side walls being free of interconnection other than said base element and bar means, said end wall elements having track means therein, and a flexible top wall element slidably disposed in said track means.

2. A collapsible shipping container comprising: a base element, rst and second end wall elements pivotally connected substantially at 'the lower edges thereof to said base element, detachable transverse bar means selectively interconnecting said end walls at points spaced from said lower edges for maintaining said edge walls in perpendicular orientation with respect to said base element, said side walls being free of interconnection other than said base element and bar means, said end wall elements having track means therein, and a exible top wall element slidably disposed in said track means; said track means having laterally extending slots therein at oppositely disposed points thereon, said top wall element being projectable through said slots upon selective disengagement with said track means.

3. A collapsible shipping container comprising: a base element, first and second end wall elements pivotally connected substantially at the lower edges thereof to said vbase element, detachable transverse bar means selectively interconnecting said end walls at points spaced from said lower edges for maintaining said edge walls in perpendicular orientation with respect to said base element, said side walls being free of interconnection other than said base element and bar means, said end wall elements having track means therein, and a flexible top wall element slidably disposed in said track means; said upper wall element being formed of polypropylene, and having laterally extending scoring therein forming lines of ilexibility.

4. A collapsible shipping container comprising: a base element, first and second end wall elements pivotally connected substantially at the lower edges thereof to said base element, means selectively interconnecting said end walls at points spaced from said lower edges for maintaining said edge walls in perpendicular orientation with respect to said base element, said end wall elements having track means therein, and a exible top wall element slidably disposed in said track means; said track means having laterally extending slots therein at oppositely disposed points thereon, said top wall element being projectable through said slots upon selective disengagement with said track means; said upper wall element being formed of polypropylene, and having laterally extending scoring therein forming lines of flexibility.

5. A collapsible shipping container comprising: a base element, first and second end wall elements having lower edges horizontally interconnected to side edges of said base element, a rear wall element having a lower edge pivotally connected to said base element, and having an upper edge, said rear wall element in erected condition lying between said end wall elements and serving to maintain them in erected condition, said end wall elements having track means thereon, and slots in said track means positioned adjacent the upper edge of said rear wall element; and a flexible top wall element secured at one edge thereof to the upper edge of said rear wall element and slidably disposed within said track means.

6. A collapsible shipping container comprising: a base element, first and second end wall elements having lower edges horizontally interconnected to side edges of said base element, a rear wall element having a lower edge pivotally connected to said base element, and having an upper edge, said rear wall element in erected condition lying between said end wall elements and serving to maintain them in erected condition, said end wall ele- 5 6 ments having track means thereon, and slots in said track References Cited in the le of this patent means positioned adjacent the upper edge of said rear UNITED STATES PATENTS wall element; and a flexible top wall element secured at one edge thereof to the upper edge of said rear wall ele- 140,836 Gerhardt e- Dec' 201 1938 ment and slidably disposed within said track means; said 5 2,172,956 Derma SePt- 121 1939 top wall element being formed of polypropylene and FOREIGN PATENTS h late 11 extendin scorin therein formin lines leibm y g g g 827,218 Great Britain Feb.3,1960 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING CONTAINER COMPRISING: A BASE ELEMENT, FIRST AND SECOND END WALL ELEMENTS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED SUBSTANTIALLY AT THE LOWER EDGES THEREOF TO SAID BASE ELEMENT, DETACHABLE TRANSVERSE BAR MEANS SELECTIVELY INTERCONNECTING SAID END WALLS AT POINTS SPACED FROM SAID LOWER EDGES FOR MAINTAINING SAID EDGE WALLS IN PERPENDICULAR ORIENTATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID BASE ELEMENT, SAID SIDE WALLS BEING FREE OF INTERCONNECTION OTHER THAN SAID BASE ELEMENT AND BAR MEANS, SAID END WALL ELEMENTS HAVING TRACK MEANS THEREIN, AND A FLEXIBLE TOP WALL ELEMENT SLIDABLY DISPOSED IN SAID TRACK MEANS. 